WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) - A rock musical that's been inspiring audiences for nearly 20 years is now open at Thalian Hall.

Opera House Theatre Company is performing Jonathan Larson's Rent. Set in New York's Lower East Side, at a time when the Bohemian lifestyle was thriving, it follows a group of poor, young artists trying to survive and create.

With issues surrounding homosexuality, AIDS, poverty and the need to leave a lasting legacy, the show has a lot of weight but a lot of hope.

"The main credo of the show, no day but today, is just such a powerful message that we should just appreciate every single moment," said actor Max Korn. "We can't take anything for granted. Every single day is a gift, and I think that people can't be reminded of that enough."

The musical first received critical acclaim in the 1990's, winning a Tony for Best Musical in 1996. And the subject matter is still significant today.

"All the issues that it deals with- homosexuality and the stigma that goes with it, AIDS and just love. Love is always a story that's relevant, will always be relevant, as relevant in the 90's as it is today," said Korn.